Crossword Genius

First early bird has a friend forever (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

eternally

'forever' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'first early bird has a friend' is the wordplay.
'first early' becomes 'e' (tst letter of 'early').
'bird' becomes 'tern' (tern is a kind of bird).
'has' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'a friend' becomes 'ally' ('ally' can be a synonym of 'friend').
'e'+'tern'+'ally'='ETERNALLY'

(Other definitions for eternally that I've seen before include "For evermore" , "Always and forever" , "for good" , "constantly" , "Nearly let out forever" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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